Huskies Advance to GLIAC Semifinals with 2nd Half Rally
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ferris State (6-8-4, 4-4-4) | 1 | 0 | 1 |
|
Michigan Tech (11-3-3, 7-2-3) | 0 | 2 | 2 |
HOUGHTON, Mich. – The Michigan Tech soccer team battled back from a 1-0 first half deficit with two goals in the final 45 minutes to overtake Ferris State 2-1 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament quarterfinals Tuesday afternoon at Sherman Field. The Huskies fell behind 1-0 in the 29th minute, but managed to turn the tables on the Bulldogs in the first 17 minutes of the final period with the deciding goals.
"Our team did a great job coming back," Michigan Tech Head Coach Michelle Jacob said. "At halftime we looked around at each other and said we are not ready to be done and we are going to win this game. We had a beautiful goal by Jaci (Mielke) to even things out and a beautifully placed ball by Jess (Splittgerber) to Marisa (DeMario) who was in the right spot to finish it for the second goal. I think the momentum that Jaci gave us with that first goal really gave us a lot of energy to go forward and get that second goal. Our defense settled in and helped us hang on for the win."
Michigan Tech (11-3-3) controlled the pace of the match in the early moments, recording the first shot of the afternoon in the second minute. Senior Jacqueline Mielke challenged goalie Grace Kraft for the first time with a shot on goal to get things rolling. In the 14th minute, Kraft made another save on a blast by Mielke followed by strikes from sophomore Madeline Faust and senior Jessica Splittgerber which were just off target.
Even though Tech was more efficient on offense in the opening minutes, Ferris State (6-8-4) would strike first in the 29th minute on a counter attack against the Huskies' defense. Brandi Wagner found the upper right corner of the net from the edge of the 18 to give the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead. It was just her second goal of the 2016 season. Erica Bartlett threaded the pass from the middle of the field to Wagner and earned the assist.
Tech still trailed 1-0 going into the break and regrouped quickly during the intermission. The Huskies didn't have to wait long for their first goal as Mielke engineered a cut back shot that snuck past Kraft into the corner of the net in the 51st minute. For Mielke, it was her team leading eighth goal of the season and it couldn't have come at a better time. The momentum swung back to the Huskies at that point and just over 11 minutes later Tech vaulted in front.
In the 61st minute the Huskies offense got behind the Ferris State defense moving down the left side of the field. Splittgerber gathered the ball and made a precision cross pass into the box just to the left of the net. Sophomore Marisa DeMario was waiting and with a quick touch beat Kraft for the game winning strike. It was DeMario's third goal, second game winner, of 2016 and for Splittgerber it would go in the books as her third assist.
From there, Tech's defense took over to close out the match and secure the win. Michigan Tech junior goalie Kirsen Hudak made two saves in the final 20 minutes as the Bulldogs turned up the pressure in an effort to produce an equalizer. Carley Dubbert had a shot stopped by Hudak in the 78th minute and in minute 87, Hudak stood in between Hilerie Schatzle and the net for her fourth and final save of the afternoon.
Mielke powered the Tech offense with four shots followed by Splittgerber with three attempts at the goal on the afternoon. Mielke had one of the two goals and DeMario had the other on her only shot against the Bulldogs. Hudak played all 90 minutes in net for the Huskies and picked up her 11th win of the year.
Ferris State had a trio of players who took two shots apiece on Tuesday, including Wagner who posted the only goal. The Bulldogs held a slight edge in both total shots (10-9) and corner kicks (3-2). Kraft logged all 90 minutes in goal as well, making three saves.
The Huskies will now head to No. 1 seed Grand Valley State for the GLIAC semifinals after they defeated Northern Michigan 6-0 in their quarterfinal contest Tuesday. Tech will play the No. 7 seed Walsh, who upset second seed Ashland 2-1 to go to the semifinal round. The Huskies will play at 7 p.m. and Grand Valley State will take on the No. 4 seed Ohio Dominican at 4 p.m. in the other semifinal.
The official GLIAC Tournament webpage can be viewed by clicking here.
